Zohran Mamdani's Leftist Wave Fuels US Primary Wins and Berlin Poll Surge

Progressive mayor Zohran Mamdani's campaign has sparked a series of left‑wing victories in United States Democratic primaries. In New York, Brad Lander, a Mamdani supporter, defeated incumbent Dan Goldman for the House seat, while similar progressive upsets were recorded in Los Angeles, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin. The successes challenge traditional Democratic positions on Israel and capitalism and could create a new "Squad 2.0" in Congress.

In Germany, the left‑wing party Die Linke has risen to 20 % in Berlin opinion polls, the highest level ever, after the New York mayoral win. Elif Eralp, the party’s lead candidate, is boosting the surge with a focus on rent control, expropriation and social housing. City mayor Kai Wegner faces sharply negative approval ratings, and the upcoming election may echo New York’s leftist shift.